3-Foot Passing Bill Moves Forward

The third time may be the charm for a 3-foot passing law for California bicyclists. AB 1371 has been passed by the California State Assembly and is pending a vote by the CA Senate with the expectation it will pass with flying colors.

This current version of the bill is an attempt to address the concerns raised by Governor Brown in successive vetoes of previous 3-foot passing bills over the past two legislative sessions. The Governor, in vetoing the 3-foot passing bills, gained the dubious distinction of becoming only the second governor to do so – joining Texas’ Rick Perry.

21 states across the country have passed 3-foot passing laws for bicyclists, and there is no reason California shouldn’t become the 22nd state. The California Bicycle Coalition has worked hard with other partners, such as AAA and CHP, to address the governor’s previous concerns and craft a bill that will get his signature.

Regardless of the outcome of this bill, CalBike is dedicated to improving safety and legal protections for bicyclists. The current bill isn’t nearly strong enough in its language so we will look for future opportunities to strengthen its protections. In the meantime, we are dedicated to working with other statewide organizations to educate drivers about their responsibilities to pass bicyclists safely. AB 1371, if signed into law by the governor, could become an effective educational tool in making roads safer for all users.

Our Mission

CalBike enables more people to bicycle for healthier, safer, and more prosperous communities for all.